2002 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 1,039 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 275 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 146 people were injured and 13 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalDec 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
Campaign 01V372000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresOct 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, P205-65R15 92S, INSTALLED AT THE PORTS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THE INCORRECT TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES THAT HAD DAMAGED TIRES. THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED DURING A PORT UPGRADE TO ALUMINUM WHEELS.
THE TIRES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE SPEED RATING FOR THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING (112 MPH), POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 01V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 25, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. BOTH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.
Campaign 01V306000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,039 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 2, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK 9/7/2005 - ON THREE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IN A STATIONARY STATE. THE OPERATOR APPLIED THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STATIONARY. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO A NORMAL STATE AFTER THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. EACH INCIDENT LASTED ONLY A FEW SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER. NO FAULTS WERE DETECTED, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ALL THREE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST 3,000 MILES OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 22,000 MILES AND HAS NOT HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT AS OF THIS DATE. *DSY
Power train, May 30, 2002
I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE WITH MY NEW CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING. WHILE DECENDING DOWN A HILL ( BETWEEN 40 AND 45) AND WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT VERY (CAN EVEN HEAR/FEEL A CLUCK) HARD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN AND IS NOT NORMAL. *AK
Power train, May 29, 2002
I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 CAMRY LE V6 AUTOMATIC (WITH OVERDRIVE). I HAVE 450 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE CAR SHIFTS WHEN LEFT IN OVERDRIVE. I TRAVEL 25 MILES ONE WAY ON BACK ROADS AT WHICH I CAN MAINTAIN SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 AND 55. MOVING ALONG BETWEEN THESE SPEEDS I FEEL THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY HOLDING BACK AND LETTING GO (I CAN SEE THE RPM'S DROP BY 500 RPM AND THEN GO BACK UP AGAIN WHEN THIS HAPPENS). THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO ME. THIS DOES THIS QUITE OFTEN ON MY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS TO LEAVE THE CAR IN OVERDRIVE AND I ONLY NEED TO TAKE IT OUT WHEN CLIMBING HILLS AT LOWER SPEEDS AND WHEN HAULING A TRAILER. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS IN THE MANNER I AM DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE A 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH OVERDRIVE WHICH I LEAVE IN OVERDRIVE ALL THE TIME AND DO NOT NOTICE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 29, 2002
THE PROBLEM IS WITH BOTH FRRONT AND BACK BRAKES. CHRONOLOGY OF PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES: WHEN THE ODOMETER REACHED ABOUT 400 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAK INTERMITTENTLY. ON MAR. 28, 2002, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HERB CHAMBERS TOYOTA OF BOSTON SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY FOUND THE BRAKES SHOES WERE GLAZED UP AND DID THE REPAIR. ASSURED THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK, I DROVE HOME. TWO BLOCKS DOWN THE STREET, I COULD HEAR THE BRAKES SQUEAKING AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY FOUND THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS WERE DELIVERED. AFTER THEY NOTIFIED ME OF THE DELIVERED PARTS, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON APRIL 4, 2002. ONE HOUR LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT BOTH ROTORS WERE CRACKED! AGAIN, THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEM THE NEXT DAY. MEANWHILE I HAD TO GET A RENTAL TO GO HOME, WHICH THEY PAID FOR. NEXT MORNING, I CALLED THEM TO CHECK ON THE STATUS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT COME IN FOR ANOTHER WEEK. SO THEY PLANNED TO TAKE ROTORS OFF FROM ANOTHER "BRAND NEW" CAMRY AND PUT THEM ON MINE. THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED AROUND NOON TIME. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR REASSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE.AFTER DRIVING FOR A COUPLE WEEKS, I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEAKY BRAKES AGAIN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THE NOISE CAME FROM OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. AS THE SQUEAK GOT LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT, I KNEW THE NOISE WAS FROM MY NEW CAMRY. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT. ON MAY 8, 2002. WITHIN ONE HOUR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT, PENDING ADVICE FROM TOYOTA.. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD GET IT BUT SAID THAT SQUEAKY BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE.I DO NOT THINK THE DEALER IS TAKING THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING BADLY. SOME UNKNOWN REASON HAD CAUSED THE ROTORS TO CRACK BEFORE, CAN ANYONE GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN?*AK
Air bags, May 28, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A LATERAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK MANUFACTURER INSPECTION FOUND AIR BAGS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *TT
Air bags, May 28, 2002
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYS ON WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. THERE IS A POTENTIAL OF AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING OR FOR AIR BAG TO DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WORNG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS IS VERY SENSITIVE CAUSING IT TO BE FAULTY.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, May 22, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 13, 2002
WHILE STOPPING ON A HILL, BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT CARDBOARD WAS IN DISC BRAKES. MECHANIC STATED THAT ABS WERE SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE FLOOR. *AK CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY, NO ACTION FROM WHEELS WITH SLIGHT MOVEMENT. *YD
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2002
BRAKE PADS ARE SQUEAKING, TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD AND THEY REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS.ROTORS WERE CRACKED. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS.L CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS SQUEAKING AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Apr 27, 2002
AT A CONSTANT CRUISING SPEED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY JERKS (PRESUMABLY SHIFTS) WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED SLIGHTLY. A CLUNKING NOISE CAN ALSO BE HEARD AT THIS TIME. THE ABS ACTUATOR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED EARLIER AS IT WAS PRODUCING A CLUNKING NOISE AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED SHARPLY AT LOW SPEEDS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 16, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THERE IS ANY BRAKING ACTION. BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SPONGY, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, Apr 15, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY PULLS BACK AND SHIFTS TO A LOWER GEAR. AND THE RPM ABRUPTLY GOES FROM 2100 RPM TO 1900 RPM AND BACK AGAIN. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. *TT
Tires, Apr 10, 2002
VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH TIRES DIRECT FROM THE FACTORY, WHEN DRIVEN IN LESS THAN ONE INCH OF SNOW WAS VIRTUALLY UNDRIVEABLE. SPEED DID NOT MATTER - 5MPH OR 40MPH SAME AFFECT - OR LACK THERE OF. ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR SKID CONTROL, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL WERE ACTIVELY FLASHING AT ALL TIMES - DRIVING OR BRAKING. CAR SLIDE THRU THREE INTERSECTIONS, WHILE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR 1/2 BLOCK BEFORE INTERSECTION. CAR ALSO LACKED ACCELERATION, TAKING 20 SECONDS TO COMPLETE A TURN ACROSS A TWO LANE ROAD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED SAME DAY. THEY RAN SEVERAL TESTS PER TOYOTAS TECH LINE ON ABS/SKID/TRACTION SYSTEM...LATER CHANGED THE TIRES AND THE MOST NOTABLE DIFFERENCE WAS MADE. IT IS AMAZING THAT NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED.TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SWAP TIRES FOR CLIENTS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE DRIVER, THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD AND ULTIMATELY THIS IS A TERRIBLE RISK FOR TOYOTA. PLEASE ENSURE TOYOTA AND OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE TRULY TESTING THE VEHICLES AND ALL FEATURES THEY SELL SO CUSTOMERS CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE THEY PURCHASE. AIRBAGS, TRACTION, AND ABS WILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF THEY WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OTHER FEATURES OF THE CAR. THIS CAMRYSE THAT IS AFFECTEDIS NOT THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED.. PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO ENSURE TOYOTA CORP. ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE IN A TIMELY MANNER.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215/60R16)
Suspension, Apr 8, 2002
VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER TWICE FOR "WANDERING". CHANGES IN THE ROAD SURFACE CAUSE THE CAR TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS RADIACALLY. THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN SERVICED, BUT THIS DIDN'T HELP. NOW, THE STEERING WHEEL IS TO THE LEFT WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. DEALER SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL". THE CAR HAS VEERED OUT OF MY LANE MANY TIMES OUT OF MY CONTROL. IT GETS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE ADJUSTED TIRE PRESSURES WITH NO CHANGE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 1, 2002
BRAKES SQUEAL WHILE CONSUMER IS APPLYING BRAKES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 27, 2002
BRAKES WERE MUSHY STRAIGHT OFF OF THE NEW CAR LOT. TWO DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR I CAME UPON A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT TURNED RED WHILE I APPROACHED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AND WENT RIGHT ON THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, NO CARS CROSSED THE INTERSECTION WHEN I WENT THROUGH IT. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER . THEIR SERVICE DEPT CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I HAD THEM BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THEN TOOK THE CAR HOME. AFTER THEY BLED THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL NOW VIBRATES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED, PLUS THE BRAKES ARE STILL MUSHY. SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED. NLM
Air bags, Mar 20, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, VEHICLE HIT A GAURDRAIL. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 14, 2002
ARM THAT HOLDS UP BRAKE PEDAL IS INTERFERRING WITH THE DRIVERS FOOT. DRIVER STATED IF CONSUMER HAD A LARGE SIZE FOOT, IT COULD EASILY GET WEDGED AND STUCK ON BRAKE PEDAL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS FOOT GETS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE FLOORMAT AND THE BRAKE ARM, FEELS THIS NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. *SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2002
ABS LIGHT WOULD STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JG
Tires, Mar 1, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT TIRE WAS LOSING AIR AND WAS DAMAGED PRIOR TO PURCHASE, THE DEALER ONLY REPAIRED IT AT CONSUMERS COST. *SLC
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2002, crash
WHILE PARKING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, HITING A WALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 22, 2002
WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS STARTLED WHEN AN OBJECT SUDDENLY FELL/DROPPED ONTO MY ANKLE/FOOT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE'S DASH. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SELLING DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT OBJECT WHICH FELL OFF WAS THE "DRIVER'S SIDE AIR FLOW DUCT." FURTHER INFORMED THAT PIECE FELL OFF BECAUSE A CLIP(S) WAS EITHER NOT INSTALLED DURING ASSEMBLY OR, CLIP FELL OFF DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY INCIDENT. NOTE: STILL AWAITING FOR SPECIAL ORDER PART (CLIP) TO ARRIVE AT DEALERSHIP.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2002
WHEN STOPPED BRAKE PEDAL FADES TO THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSURE APPLIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN, CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR SAME PROBLEM, HAVE BEEN ADVISED VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MECHANIC TEST DRIVE CLAIMS EMERGENCY STOP OKAY.*AK
Tires, Feb 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH IN A 2002, TOYOTA CAMRY, THE LEFT REAR TOYO TIRE, SIZE: P215/60R16-94V, DOT: CXFI8L42401 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 3,100 MILES ON IT, AND WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE,. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED TIRE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS ALSO SIDEWALL FAILURE ADJACENT TO TREAD.*SLC